Radiator designed to permit regulation of active heat radiation surface thereof



Peb. 5, 1952 PATERNosTER 2,584,914 DIATOR DESIGNED TO PERMIT REGULATION OF' ACTIVE HEAT RADIATION SURFACE THEREOF 21, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET l Filed Dec.

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Feb- 5, 1952 E. s. 'PATERNosTl-:R 2,584,914 RADIATOR DESIGNED TO PERMIT REGULATION OF ACTIVE HEAT RADIATION SURFACE THEREOF' 2 SHEETS--Sl-IEET 2 Filed Dec. 21, 1949 llll Iii INVENTOR Patented Feb. 5, 1952 `RADIATOR DESIGNED TO PERMIT REGULA- TION OF ACTIVE HEAT RADIATION SUR- FACE THEREOF Eric S. Paternoster, Queens Village, N. Y. Application December 2l, 1949, Serial No. 134,317

'This invention relates to heat radiators, such as the well known steam and hot water radiators, and more particularly to such radiators designed to permit regulation of the amount of active heat radiation surface thereof. Thus with the radiators of my invention, only apredetermined selected portion of each radiator-.in each room may be radiating heat, depending upon temperature conditions in the room in which the radiator is disposed, with consequent saving in fuel and the maintenance of more comfortable temperature conditions.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel radiator design permitting ready control of the amount of active heat radiation surface, which design is applicable to existing types of radiators including steam radiators of the socalled hot water pattern in which the` vertical passes of the radiator are interconnected both at their tops and bases, steamradiators ofthe so-called steam pattern in which the vertical passes of the radiator are interconnected at their bases only; steam radiators employed in a single or double line system, hot Water radiators and radiators employed in a two ,pipe vapor or vacuum system. .4

It is another object of this inventionto provide such radiators which are simple and inexpensive -to manufacture and eci'ent in oper.- ation in that the control of the amount of active radiation surface can readily be effected by simply turning a valve handle.

It is still another object of this invention to provide such radiators in which the air therein may be vented without carrying excessive amounts of moisture into the atmosphere.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description thereof.

In accordance with this invention 'as applied to vva steam radiator, the. radiator isjequipped with a series of vent outlets through `which air in the radiator may escape to the atmosphere, the vent outlets being spaced at predetermined points relative to the steam inlet to. theoradiator and constructed and arranged softhat the amount of active heat radiation surface is der.

pendent on the particular vent inlet rendered effective. As applied to radiatorsemployed in a two pipe vapor or ,vacuum system,.or ina hot water system, the radiators are constructed and arranged so that the point at which the new of heating fluid from the radiator takes place may readily be changed, depending upon atmospheric conditions, etc.,l and thus the Arelative amount of active heat radiation surface .of the radiator rnay be readily controlled. Y o In the accompanying drawings forming apart ofY this specification and shows/ina iorpurposes of exemplincation, ypreferred `forms 'ofI `thisinvencion without, limiting die claimed in to such illustrative instances;

s claims. (01.'237-70) `a one pipe heating system, which radiator yembodies my invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical section Ataken in /aplane passing through line 2-2 of Figure 1; l,

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken in a plane passing through line 3--3 of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a front elevational view of a radia tor of the steam pattern type and inl a one pipe heating system, which radiator embodies my invention; lFigure 5 is a horizontal fragmentary section through the right hand end of the radiator of Figure 4;y Y

Figure 6 is a front elevation, the lower portion being shown in section, of a radiator embodying 4my invention, which radiator isof the type used in a two pipe vapor or vacuum system; and

Figure `'Z is a vertical section of still another form of radiator'embodyingmy invention, which .radiator is of the type used in a hot water system.V l Inv the drawings,l referring to Figure 1, -I indicates a steam inlet to a steam radiator of the so-called Vhot waterpattern comprising a plurality of vertical chambers or passes Il interconnected at their bases by a horizontally extending channel I2 and attheir tops by a horizontally extending channel I3. The radiator,

as customary, may be cast or otherwise formed in lone Vpiece -lof suitable heat conducting material, preferably metal. While-Figure l of the drawing shows a radiator provided with twelve `vertical heat radiating passes, it will be understood the radiator may be formed ywith any desired number of such passes or chambers.

Disposed in the top horizontally extending channel I3 are four vent pipes I4, I5, IB-and I1, communicating with different selected portions ofthe interior of the radiator. Thus in the embodiment of the invention shown -in Figure 1, vent --pipe I4 has at one end thereof a vent outlet IB communicating `with the interior. of the radiator at--a pointbetween the third and fourth vertical passes I I considering Vthe extreme left-hand pass 'shown vin Vthis figure as pass No. l. Hence, in the construction shown in Figure' 1 approximately the iirst 25% of the volumetric capacity of the radiator relative to the point where the steam or other f heating uid is introduced, is vented through vent l.oulet I8. Y Vent pipes I5, I6 and vI'I have at one end thereof vent outlets I9, 20 and 2| communi- ,ca tingy with the interior of the radiator at a point ating` fluid. introduction into the radiator. f It beund'erstood that the points of location and number of vent pipes shown in Figure 1 represent only one embodiment of the invention, that the vent outlets may be otherwise located and a larger or smaller number of vent pipes may be used, if desired.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3 the other end of the vent pipes are suitably threaded into openings in the valve casing 22 which may be threaded or otherwise fitted into an opening in the end wall 23 of the radiator so as to provide a gas tight joint between valve casing 22 and end wall 23. Valve casing 22 is provided with four openings 24, each in longitudinal alignment with one of the discharge outlets of the vent pipes I4, I5, I6 and I1. Rotatably mounted within the valve casing 22 is a cylindrical plug 25 (Figure 3) having a bore 26 therein communicating with an annular channel 21. This channel 21 communicates at all times with the vertically extending passageway 28 in the valve casing 22.

Plug 25 is provided with a protruding portion 29 extending through cover 30 of the valve casing. Keyed to portion 29 is a handle 3I for rotating the plug 25. Desirably, handle 3l is provided with a pointer 32 for indicating which of the vent pipes I4, I5, I6 and I1 is in communication with bore 26 and through annular channel 21 with passageway 28. For example, cover 30 may be provided with indicia, say 1A., 1/2, 3A and 1 spaced 90 apart and positioned to indicate the position of valve plug 25 when vent pipes I4, I5, I6 and I1, respectively, are disposed to communicate with bore 26. v

A pipe 33 connects channel 28 of valve casing 22 ywith a separating chamber 34. This separat- 1;.

ing chamber has in a side wall thereof a thermostatic air valve 35 of any well known type which permits air to pass therethrough but prevents the flow of steam therethrough. Leading from the base of separating" chamber 34 is a pipe 36 provided with a liquid seal portion 31 and having the terminal end thereof 38 extending through end wall 23 of the radiator, as at 39. Liquid seal portion 31 is provided with a drain plug 40 for draining this seal whenever desired. The liquid seal 31 seals the radiator in the locality where liquid is returned to the radiator from the separating chamber and thus prevents venting of the radiator in this locality, i. e.,yin the construction shown in Figure l it prevents venting of entrapped air from the radiator through pipe 36, communicating-separating,(chamber 34 and thermostatic air -valve 35.

' In operation, assuming it is desired to have only '25% of theradiator active, handle 3l is turnedv so Vthat vent pipe I4 communicates through bore 26, annular channel 21, passage 28 and pipe V33With the separating chamber 34. The air in the .iirstfour vertical chambers I I, which, as custernary', arein'the Vform of vertically elongated annular chambers, flows through vent pipe I4,

liquid seal 31j as the condensate accumulates it ilows from the liquid seal through discharge end 38 of -pipe 36 into the radiator.

The"liquid seal 31, as above noted, prevents esfca'pe of air through pipe 36y into the separating chamber 34 and thus prevents by-passing of the L venifflutlets` I8, I3 and 20. With the valve plug are closed, escape of air from the radiator can only take place through vent outlet I8. The trapped air in the portion of the radiator beyond vent outlet I8 prevents effective heating of the radiator beyond Voutlet I8; thus, only approximately 25% of the active heating surface of the radiator is rendered eiective. In a similar manner if vent outlet I9 is placed in communication with the separating chamber 34 only about 50% of the radiator is rendered effective. When vent outlet 20 is in communication with the separating chamber, about 25% of the radiator is effective and when vent outlet 2I is in communication with the separating chamber the entire surface area of the radiator is effective.

It will be appreciated that there will be some heating of the radiator beyond the vent outlet which is "in communication with the separating chamber 34 and that by positioning the vent outlets I8, I9, 20 and 2| as shown, the division of the active heat radiation surface approximates the values above noted, due to the fact that with the passage of time, steam Will creep into vertical passes of the radiator beyond the vent outlet in communication with the separating chamber and will cause the air in such vertical passes to gradually escape through the open vent outlet. For all practical purposes, however, disposition of the vent outlets as shown in the drawings will give a reasonably satisfactory division of the active heat radiation surface. `By providing more vent outlets properly positioned more accurate control of the extent of active heat radiation surface can be eifected.

In the modication of Figures 4 and 5, in which like parts are identified by the same reference characters, the vertical passes of the radiator are not interconnected at their tops but only at their bases. Accordingly, in this construction the vent pipes are installed externally of the radiator and not internally, as shown in Figure 1.

In Figures 4 and 5 vent pipe 4I has one end passing through a suitable gas tight packing gland 42 positioned at the top of the third ver'- tical pass of the radiator and the other end leading into a valve casing 43, as at 44. Vent pipe 45 has one end passing through a gas tight packing gland 46 at the top of the sixth vertical pass of the radiator and the other end leading into a valve casing 43 at 41. Vent pipe 48 (Fig. 6) similarly has one end passing through a packing gland 49 in the ninth vertical pass and the other end leading into valve casing 43 at 5D. A'pipe 5I provides a gas tight connection between the last vertical pass I4 and valve casing 43.

Rotatably mounted within valve casing 43 is a cylindrical valve plug 52 provided with an axial passage 53 `communicating with a radially extending passage 54 leading from the axial passage 53 to the periphery of the cylindrical plug. Depending upon the position of the plug 52, one of the vent pipes 4I, 45, 48 and 5I communicates through the passages 54, 53 in the valve plug 52 with the-pipe 33 (Figure 4) leading into separating chamber 34. Rotation of the valve plug 52 is eifected through a stem 55 passing through a packing gland 56 and carrying a handle 51.

The operation of the radiator of Figures 4 and 5 is substantially the same as that of Figures 1 to3, inclusive, and will be understood from the above detaileddescription of the radiator of 25 positioned so that vent outlets I9.'20 8411.4 ZI 'IQ Figures 1 to 3.

' charge pipe 12.

Figure 6 shows a radiator of the type used in a two pipe vapor or vacuum system. Inthis 'iigure 6| indicates the heating medium inlet of the radiator comprising a plurality of vertical passages 62 interconnected at their bases by .a horizontally extending passage 63 and at Ytheir tops by 4a horizontal passage 64. Disposed in end wall 65 of the radiator opposite the end containing the outlet 6I and at the base thereof isa valve 66. A plurality of vent pipes is disposed in the horizontal passage 63, and communicates with the valve 66.

Since the construction of valve 66 and the communicating vent pipes are substantially the same as that of the vent pipes I4, l5, |6 and I1 leading into the valve casing 2'2 of Figures 1 to Scorresponding parts have vbeen identified by the same reference characters.

Leading from the base of valve casing 22 is `a discharge pipe 61 which communicates with a thermostatic valve housing 68 having therein a bellows 69 for actuatinga conical valve member 10 adapted to be seated on a seat 1|. A vreturn line 12 leads from the valve housing 68.

In the operation of the radiator of Figure 6, steam or other heating uid is admitted to the radiator through inlet 6I. Assuming it is desired to utilize only 25% of the active heat radiating surface of the radiator, valve handle 3| is actuated to place vent outlet I8 'into communication with valve housing 68 vthrough vent pipe I4, bore 26, annular channel '2l (Figure 3) and dis' charge pipe 61 (Figure v6). The other vent pipes I5, I6 and I1 are closed lby valve 66. Entrapped air in, and condensed steam formed by flow of` steam through, the rst three vertical passes escape through vent pipe I4, discharge pipe 61, valve housing 68, the open valve 41|), 11| and dis- Valve 1U and 1I remains open as long jas no heating iiuid contacts the bellows 69 to eiect closure of this valve. Once the rst three passages 62 are iilled with the heating fluid, e. g., steam, the heating uid flows through vent pipe I4, valve 66 and discharge pipe 61 and actuates bellows 69 to close thermostatic valve 10, 1|. When valve 10 and 1| is closed, the air in the remainder of the radiator cannot escape and prevents effective heating of theradiator beyond the third passage 62. Thus, only the first 25% of the heating surface of the radiator is utilized when vent pipe Ill through valve 66 is placed in communication with the valve housing 68. If it is desired to utilize 50%` of the radiator, valve handle 3| is moved to place ventpipe I5 in communication through valve 66 with discharge pipe 61 `and thermostatic valve 16, 1 I. Similarly by placing vent pipes I6 and l1, respectively, in communication with thermostatic valve 16, 1I., 75% or `the entire heating capacity of the radiator may be utilized.

The radiator of Figure '1 is of the type employed in a hot water system and in general may be similar to the radiators of Figures l and 6. It comprises a base hot Water inlet 15, a plurality of vertical passes 16 for flow of hot water therethrough, which passes are interconnected at their bases by a horizontal passage 11 and at their tops also by a horizontal passage (not shown), Disposed in the horizontal passage 11 extending through the end wall 18 is a pair of concentric pipes 19, 80, inner pipe 19 being mounted for rotation within pipe 86. Pipe 19 is open at its end 8| and is provided at spaced points with openings e2, 83 and 84. VPipe 86 is alsoopen at its end 'and provided with openings 85, 86 and B1. Openings 82, 8.3 and 8'4 are so arranged relative to openings 85, 86 and 81 in the outer pipe 8B that in one position of this outer pipe none of these openings register and ow can take place only through the open end 8|, in another position only openings 82 and 85 register so that flow can take place through these two openings; in still another position openings 83 and te register permitting now through these registered openings into and through inner pipe 16 and in still another position openings 84 and 8,1 register.

Outer pipe 86 is threaded as at 68 into a valvecasing 89 which is in turn threaded into the base of the radiator, as at '96. Rotatably mounted within this valve casing is a cylindrical plug 9|. innerv pipe 'I9 is threaded into the face of this plug yfor movement therewith. The plug is provided With a central passage 92 communicating with pipe 19 for flow from the pipe 19 into the passage. The latter communicates with an annular passage 93 in the plug which in turn communicates with the return line 9d. Rotation of the plug 9| is effected by a handle 95 keyed to a projection which extends from the valve plug 9| through the cover 96 for the valve casing 89. In the operation Aof the radiator of Figure '7 hot water is admitted through 15 and rises through the vertical passes, the colder water settling to the bottom. Assuming it is desired to utilize only 25% of the effective heating capacity of the radiator, handle 95 is operated to position the inner and outer pipes 19 and 813 as shown in Figure 7. In this position water is discharged from the radiator through 8|, inner pipe 19, passages 5.12, Vfit and return linev 94. Only the first three passes of the radiator are thus heatedresulting in the utilization of only 25% of the capacity of the radiator in the embodiment shown in Figure '1.

If it is desired to utilize 56% of the capacity of the radiator valve handle is actuated to place openings 82 and 85 in registry. Discharge of water thus takes place through the registered openings 82, 8,5, the flow being otherwise the same as noted above. This results in flow of hot water through the rst six passes with consequent utilization'of 50% of the heating surface of the radlator. If it is desired to use '15% of the heating surface handle is actuated to place openings 83 and 86 in registry. For 100% of the heating surface openings 84 and 81 are placed in registry.

It will be noted this invention provides a radiator design, applicable to existing radiators such as the well known steam radiators of the hot water and steam patterns for use in one or two pipe systems, in which the amount of active heatingr surface rendered effective can readily he controlled. Accordingly, with this invention, notwithstanding the use of standard size radiators throughout the room of a home, each radiator may readily be adiusted to give the desired amount of heat thus taking into 4account diilerent temperature conditions in various rooms of the home. Thus, for example, the samev size rooms on the sunny .side of a `home reduire less heat than those on the non-sunny side, -With this invention, by simply turning ak valve handle necessary adjustments can be made so that each radiator supplies the desired amount of heat. This invention therefore results in a substantial saving in fuel and maintenance of desired temperature conditions in eachY room. It will be further noted that in the embodiments Yof the invention vinvolving venting of the air to the i5 atmosphere, the separating chamber V functions to collect any moisture or other liquid carried by the air or escaping from the radiator and functions to return such moisture to the radiator. Hence, such moisture or liquid does not escapo into the atmosphere. In radiators now used from which air is vented it is not uncommon for steam or moisture to escape into the atmosphere and damage floors, floor coverings and furniture in the room in which the radiator is located. Such damage can not take place when employing the radiator embodying my invention.

Since different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope of this invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, for example, the type of control Valve shown in Figure 7 may be used in lieu of that shown in Figure 1 or Figure 4 and vice versa. the control valve may be operated automatically instead of manually responsive to a desired condition, e. g., temperature or pressure. Moreover, the chambers or passes of the radiator may be of other shapes than the vertically elongated chambers of annular form shown in the drawings, e. g., they may be cylindrical or polygonal in shape, if desired.

What is claimed is:

l. A steam radiator comprising a plurality oi interconnected passes, the rst of said passes being provided with a steam inlet, a plurality oi' air vent pipes constructed and arranged so that progressively increasing volumesvof said radiator may be vented to the atmosphere, depending upon which of said vent pipes is placed in communication with the atmosphere, and a single multi-way valve 'for placing one of said vent pipes in communication with the atmosphere and preventing communication between the other of said vent pipes and the atmosphere.

2. A steam radiator comprising, a plurality of interconnected vertically elongated annular passes, the first of said passes being provided with a steam inlet, a plurality of air vent pipes, each communicating with a different pass of said radiator, a valve casing into which said vent pipes lead, a valve member in said valve casing for permitting flew through one of' said vent pipes into said casing and preventing now from others of said vent pipes into said casing, a separating chamber communicating with said valve casing, a line provided with' a liquid seal leading from said separating chamber 'to said radiator, and a thermostatic air valve on said separating chamber for flow therethrough of air vented from said radiator into the separating chamber 3. A steam radiator comprising a plurality of interconnected vertically elongated annular passes disposed in side by side relation and connected at their tops and bases by horizontally extending chambers, one end pass being provided With a steam inlet, a plurality of air vent pipes in the top horizontally extending chamber, each vent pipe communicating with a' different pass of said radiator, a valve casing extending through the opposite end pass at the top thereof, said vent pipes leading into said valve casing, a valve member in said valve casing for permitting flow through one of said vent pipes into said casing and preventing now from others of said vent pipes into said casing, a separating chamber communicating with said valve casing,` a line provided Also the with a liquid seal leading from said separating chamber to said opposite end, and a thermostatic air valve on said separating chamber for flow therethrough of air Vented from said radiator into the separating chamber.

4. A steam radiator comprising a plurality of interconnected vertically elongated annular passes disposed in side by side relation and interconnected at their bases by a horizontally extending chamber, one end pass being provided with a steam inlet, a plurality of air vent pipes, each communicating with a different vertical pass of said radiator and arranged so that progressively increasing volumes of said radiator may be vented to the atmosphere depending upon which vent pipe is placed in communication with the atmosphere, a valve casing extending through the opposite end pass at the top thereof, said vent pipes leading into said valve casing, a valve member in said casing for-permitting flow through one of said vent pipes into said valve casing and preventing now from other of said Vent pipes into said valve casing, a separating chamber communicating with said valve casing, a line provided with a liquid seal leading from said separating chamber to the opposite vertical pass, Aand a thermostatic air valve on said separating chamber for ow therethrough of air vented from said radiator into the separating chamber.

5. A heat radiator comprising a plurality of interconnected chambers disposed in side-by-side relationship, one end chamber having a heatving fiuid inlet, means on the opposite end chamber for controlling the amount of active heat radiating surface of said radiator, said means comprising a valve housing, a plurality of air vent pipes, each communicably connecting a different one of said chambers with said valve housing, and a valve in said valve housing for opening ,y one of said air Vent pipes to permit flow of air each communicating with a different pass of said radiator so that progressively increasing volumes of said radiator maybe vented to the atmosphere through said vent pipes depending upon which of said vent pipes is placed in com- .munication with the atmosphere, a valve housing into Which all of said vent pipes lead, and a valve in said housing for placing one of said vent pipes in communication with the atmosphere and preventing communication between the other of said vent pipes and the atmosphere.

ERIC S. PATERNOSTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the leof this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 505,136 Smith Sept. 19, 1893 773,388 Gerken Oct. 25, 1904 1,076,444 Ord Oct. 21, 1913 1,076,704 Rosen Oct. 28, 1913 1,161,877 Nelson Nov. 30, 1915 v1,229,917 Durr June 12, 1917 2,098,830 McElgin Nov. 9, 1937 

